DANIELS HJ
Daniels, Harry Joseph Died
Personal Information
| Rank | P/O |
| Forename(s) | Harry Joseph |
| Surname | Daniels |
| Gender | M |
| Age | 24 |
| Date of Death | 26-07-1941 |
| Next of Kin | Son of Joseph and Caroline Annie Daniels, of Coventry. Solicitor. Commended For Gallantry. |
Aircraft Information
| Aircraft | Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V |
| Serial Number | T4231 |
| Markings | ZA-A |
Memorial Information
| Burial/Memorial Country | Belgium |
| Burial/Memorial Place | Koersel Communal Cemetery |
| Grave Reference | Grave 2. |
| Epitaph | WITHOUT FAREWELL YOU FELL ASLEEP LEAVING ONLY MEMORIES TO KEEP |
IBCC Memorial Information
| Phase | 2 |
| Panel Number | 152 |
Enlistment Information
| Service Number | 68738 |
| Service | Royal Air Force |
| Group | 4 |
| Squadron | 10 |
| Squadron Motto | Rem acu tangere (To hit the mark) |
| Trade | Observer |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
| Location | Roman Rd, Leeming, North Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Brass plaque set into a stone plinth into which is carved with the Canadian maple leaf and the Yorkshire rose. |
| Memorial Text | This memorial is dedicated to those men and women who served at RAF Leeming during World War II, including those from the Royal Canadian Air Force Squadrons, whose members came from all parts of the Commonwealth from 1942 to 1945; 405 Vancouver, 408 Goose, 419 Moose, 427 Lion, 429 Bison. Also, to the many Civilians who supported them during their term of duty in North Yorkshire. We remember too the RAF Squadrons who preceded the Canadians from 1940 - 1942; 7 - 10 - 35 -77 - 102 - 219. To those who paid the supreme sacrifice, we will remember them. Dedicated June 19, 1993 |
| Location | Opposite old Main Guardroom, RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Stone Memorial & Metal Plaques |
| Memorial Text | In commemoration of those men and women of many nations who served at RAF Leeming during the second world war. |
| Location | Melbourne, East Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Brick Memorial Stone & Plaque |
| Memorial Text | No 10 Squadron, 4 Group Bomber Command, WWII 1939-1945. This memorial was erected at the entrance to the former RAF Station Melbourne by ex Members and Friends of the Squadron to honour the memory of all personnel who died in the service of their Country during WWII and as a tribute to the many friends in the Villages of Melbourne and Seaton Ross for their many deeds of kindness. |
| Location | Melbourne Airfield, East Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Inscribed Runway Light in Concrete Base |
| Memorial Text | Let this landing light be a memorial to all those 1,000 aircrew and 120 aircraft that left this very point never to return so that we may return again and again in freedom to enjoy York Motor Sport Park |
| Location | Roadside location (off E6), Fættenfjord, near Åsenfjord, Trøndelag Fylke |
| Country | Norway |
| Memorial Type | Inscribed memorial stone atopped with inert aerial sea mine and Tirpitz anchor chain link |
| Memorial Text |
For Frihet Til minne om Allierte Flymannskaper fra RAF drept under angrep pa det tyske slagskipet Tirpitz i Fættenfjord 1942
Translation "For freedom In memory of the Allied Aircrews from the RAF who died in attacks on the German Battleship Tirpitz in the Fættenfjord 1942 " |
| Location | Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, North Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Memorial Gardens, Propeller, Inscribed Marble Tablets |
| Memorial Text | In everlasting homage to the courage of those who have found their winged victory through the skies of Yorkshire |
| Location | Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, North Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Propeller Unit & Inscribed Marble Tablets |
| Memorial Text | They made the supreme sacrifice so that you & I may go in peace with freedom. 4 Group 1939 - 1945. |
| Location | Heslington Hall, York, North Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
| Memorial Text | Heslington Hall 1941 - 1945, 4 Gp Headquarters Bomber Command. In remembrance of those Air & Ground personnel who made the supreme sacrifice that we all may walk in peace with freedom |
Miscellaneous Information
| Born 2 February 1916 at Dumfries. Educated Bablake School. Resided at Rangemore, Leamington Road. Worked as a solicitor with Goate, Bullock and Norris. Enlisted 1939. First serviceman admitted as a Freeman of the City of Coventry under Emergency Provisions. |
| Wheatleyan' reported "It is with regret that we record in this issue the death on active service of P/O H. J. Daniels. The name of Daniels is linked with swimming and it is no exaggeration to say that as a swimmer the School has not seen his like. Indeed it would not be going too far to say that as a swimmer, Rugby footballer and athlete he achieved an excellence of performance that few attain. It was as a swimmer I knew him best, though I knew him well too, as a member of the Under 14 Rugger XV and now as I look at the records of past events and see again various races he took part in, I visualise, his lithe, well-made body, cleaving the water with an easy, almost effortless, though powerful stroke. For five years 1930 to 1934, he was far away the undisputed champion of the School, and during that time he set a record for the 100 yards which has not yet been beaten and a record for the 60 yards back stroke which remained for four years until beaten by his brother, B. E. After leaving school he participated in the National Championship of the ASA and competed both in the 100 yards free style and the 150 yards backstroke. In the latter event he twice swam to third place, and there was even a chance that had not the war intervened he would have done better. He was a tower of strength in the strong Coventry polo team and won county honours in the game. He turned his prowess at swimming to good account in the RAF, for he swam in rough sea in February to a live target that had broken loose and secured it with a rope so that it could be saved, thereby earning the commendation of his Commanding Officer. He played in all representative Rugger XV's of the School, and finally captained one of Bablake's strongest first teams as a stand-off half. His strong running and sure tackling were a great asset to the side. After leaving School he played regularly for the Old Wheatleyans. Noticed by Coventry RFC he was soon playing in the first XV with R. N. Nicol, F. E. Walton and F. O. Wheatley. Later he was chosen for Warwickshire several times. It is worthy of note that he could do all this at the same time as he was also winning championships at swimming. It is one of the war tragedies that it carries off the flower of a nation's manhood, but it is with pride that we pay tribute to one who achieved much at School, and who has laid down his life fighting for his country. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his parents, brothers and sister". The piece is closed with an eccerpt from The Book of Sorrow by John Milton (1608-1674): "Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail Or knock the breast; …..nothing but well and fair And what may quiet us in a death so noble". |
Casualty Pack Number Find Out More
| AIR 81/7935 (P360916/41) |
The National Archives
| Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/142/14 |
| Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/142/14 |
Fellow Servicemen
Please note that this list gives all the losses aboard the quoted aircraft and occasionally these may have occurred on an earlier date when the aircraft was not itself lost. Please check the dates of death carefully.
| Name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Beverley D B (Sgt) | Died |
| Lawson C W F D E (Sgt) | Died |
| Puttick W (Sgt) | Died |
| Spiers W M (P/O) | Died |
Last Operation Information
| Start Date | 25-07-1941 |
| End Date | 26-07-1941 |
| Takeoff Station | Leeming |
| Day/Night Raid | Night (3% moon) |
| Operation | Hanover |
| Reason for Aircraft Loss | Crashed at Koersel, NNW of Hasselt, Belgium |